8th Electric conversions/cars

[MHeadling]

Hi Guys, been thinkng about getting or converting an 8th car to elec power, just had a few questions about it.

Is it better to buy a converted car, Losi 8e or Castor Racing compared to converting a nitro version??

What cells are peope using?? If read that 2x 7.4v lipo is the way to go.

What sort of run times are you getting??

What electric packages are best? Novak or castle creations, I see that Ryan Maifield runs castle creations in his rc8.

Is this class going to take off or is it a fad??

Discuss......

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Hey there - the good thing with a roller over the conversion route is there is no wasted parts and invariably a better layout - certainly the Caster has the most balanced set up and allows you to use 2 x "normal" 7.4v packs..

In termsof power set ups - the Castle is light years ahead of the Novak stuff.
For a buggy there is a 2650kv set up due shortly as a combo with the Mamba Monster Max esc - this has to be the answer. Using a Nue based motor they are more efficent, run cooler and have better suited winds..

I dont think it will replae Nitro but once ppl have seen them run many are bowled over. With the advent of brushless and lipo it has become so much simpler and with investment from many big names, caster, Losi, Associated etc it is certain to grow..

get one and have a blast!

Pete

[DCM]

this will be out early next year.....



take upto a 6S lipo, and no need for a receiver pack either, and in testing, has been awesome

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Yep - was looking at specs earlier - looks good - I think they have motors in the pipeline as well, Tekin are sure to provide a viable alternative..

[DCM]

I do believe there are motors to come later on, and the software will be fully adjustable and have the ability to upgrade too, via the hotwire. And with the software I have been testing lately, on the RS, it definately gets the most out of a motor.

[glypo]

Really can't beat Tekin. Ever since I was sent the images of this back in October I have been dieing to get my hands on one.

[gramey]

I went the conversion route buying a new Losi 8T RR as a donor mainly because I already had two nitro Losi 8T's so any left over parts simply became spares for these. At the time I started the project Losi hadn't released their 8E. Also I wanted to retain the mechanical brakes & clutch which the Tekno conversion allowed me to do.
I may be treading on people's toe's here but Quattro83, over on the MaxBashing forum, has a vast knowledge of brushless conversions and gave me no end of help with mine. As a consequence I went with the MGM CompPro esc as Castle were having no end of reliability problems with their esc, although the latest V3 appears to be more reliable. Down side of the MGM is cost but the upside, if you race outdoors, is that it's waterproof which the others aren't to the best of my knowledge.
I've never tried a Tekin esc but I've only read good things about them so I may try the Tekin or Castle if I do another conversion.
I'm running single 14.8v Thunder Power 5000mah 4S lipo's with a Neu 1515-1Y motor, also recommended by Quattro83. Only time will tell how good the chinese copies of the Neu motor are that Castle are supplying with their combo deal.
If I was starting again I'd probably go for a roller and add my own electrics, not sure about the Losi stuff but it's like buying an RTR ntiro, you know what's supplied in the box is made to a budget.
Which ever route you take you it should match a ntiro on speed so decide how you want to do it and then enjoy it. It's spooky to start off with as you look at something that your used to hearing a noise form and there's nothing, just a whine as it comes past you, but don't be fooled it'll be quick!